Contents

Physical Attributes

Mufasa is a large, powerful lion with golden fur, a brownish nose, a thick, red mane, and reddish-brown eyes. In an interview with James Earl Jones, he says that directors exaggerated some of his features.

Personality

Mufasa is a very wise and noble king. He always thinks about what's in the best interest of the Pridelands, and is quite selfless. He cares very much for his son, Simba; he rescues him twice, and even sacrifices his own life for him.

Information

Mufasa is a large powerful male lion. He is the father of Simba, the husband of Sarabi, and the older brother of Scar. He is said to be the son of Ahadi and Uru in The Lion King: Six New Adventures, but it is unofficial. He is wise and caring, often portrayed as the ideal king and wishes to pass those traits down to Simba.

The Lion King

Mufasa clinging to the side of a cliff.

In The Lion King Mufasa is the King of the Pridelands. At the beginning of the film, the presentation of his newborn son, Simba is shown. A short time afterwards, Simba wakes up Mufasa early in the morning, due to a promise Mufasa made to him prior to the events. Mufasa shows Simba the pridelands, and tells him that he too will be king of the pridelands someday, but to stay away from the Elephant Graveyard.

Simba, being a curious cub decides to venture off into the Elephant Graveyard with Nala, after distracting Zazu. But soon Zazu catches up with them, but the Hyena's show up at the same time. They then attempt to roast Zazu in the "birdie boiler". Simba then confronts the Hyena's, but the plan backfires, and they try to attack him. But before they could, Mufasa arrives, and forces them to run away.

Mufasa then asks Zazu to take Nala home, while he talks to Simba. He tells him that the Great Kings of the Past are always looking down on them, and one day he will be the future king, and Mufasa will be part of the Great Kings of the Past.

Right after, the Hyena's tell Scar they couldn't get rid of Simba. So he devises a plan: to kill Mufasa.

Death

Scar has the hyenas scare a large group of wildebeast, in order to start a stampede. Simba attemps to run away from this invasion, but is very close to meeting his demise as well. He hangs onto a small branch right above the wildebeast, where Zazu then alerts Mufasa of what is happening. Mufasa arrives at the situation, and grabs Simba with his mouth. He is attacked in the side by a wildebeast, but is still able to reach the ledge just in time to get Simba safe from harm. Mufasa is then carried off into the stampede, but jumps up, attempting to climb the ledge. When he gets towards the top he pleads for Scar's help. Scar then proceeds to dig his claws into Mufasa's paws, and then whispers "Long live the king." Scar then throws Mufasa into the stampede.

A litte bit after the events of Mufasa's death, Simba attempts to find out whether or not he had survived the stampede. He then discovers Mufasa's body, and cuddles up with him, and starts to cry into his stomach.

After his death, Mufasa is seen again when Rafiki explains to Simba that 'He lives in you'. Mufasa, who's spirit is in the clouds, tells Simba that he must return to the Pridelands to save his pride. Also, before Simba claims his kingship, Mufasa can be heard saying "Remember".

The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride

Mufasa watching the presentation of Kiara.

Mufasa only makes two appearances in Simba's Pride. Once during his granddaughter Kiara's presentation, and the last time in Simba's nightmare. He also says "Well done my son. We are one." at the end of Simba's pride. He is also mentioned during the exile of Kovu, where Kiara yells at Simba "You will never be Mufasa!", possibly referring to the fact, in Kiara's eyes, Mufasa may have forgiven Kovu and seen the ambush was not his fault. Simba is taken aback by the statement for a moment, suggesting he had been trying to live up to the "greatness" Mufasa had achieved in his time as ruler of the Pridelands.

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar

Mufasa makes a small appearance in this film, which takes place after The Lion King and in the middle of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. He appears in the sky to his grandson Kion (who feels dejected after Simba didn't accept his choice of Lion Guard members because they were not lions like him), telling him that he is about to embark on a great journey as leader of The Lion Guard. Kion replies that he doesn't think Simba will let him lead The Lion Guard, worried he can't handle it to which Mufasa replies that Simba is worried because he loves Kion as being leader of The Lion Guard isn't always easy.

Kion replies that maybe he's not ready to lead The Lion Guard or use The Roar of the Elders and says that he doesn't want to end up like Scar (who was the previous leader of The Lion Guard, until he lose his powers due to using them for evil). Mufasa tells Kion to trust his instincts and the Roar will be there when he needs and so will he.

Broadway Musical

Mufasa's role is larger in the musical based on the first film. He sings They Live In You to young Simba when they are looking up at the stars. There is also an scene in which Mufasa tells Zazu about Simba's daring behavior. Zazu then reminds him on his early years as a cub.